Hundreds attend Philly Justice for Trayvon' rally

PHILADELPHIA — Hundreds gathered in front of the federal court building in Philadelphia one week after jurors acquitted a former Florida neighborhood watch volunteer in the killing of an unarmed teen.

Participants spilled over onto main Market Street in front of the downtown building Saturday, first blocking half of the street and eventually the entire thoroughfare as police moved barriers back while protesters waved signs, chanted and listened to speeches.

“Justice for Trayvon” rallies were slated in more than 100 cities to call for federal civil rights charges in the February 2012 slaying of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman.

Undeterred by temperatures in the 90s and high humidity, participants strained to hear the speakers and joined in with chants including “We are one” and “No justice, no peace.”

One sign in the crowd read “Who’s next?” and another “Black boys’ lives have value,” while a third said “Amend the (f)laws.”

Standing in the shade next to the court building, Keith Lyons, 53, of north Philadelphia, pointed out a sign far in front that said “R.I.P. Trayvon. We are back in the 1960s again.”

“It feels like that,” said Valerie Washington, 49, of the Germantown section of the city.

Both said they hoped that Zimmerman would be held to account in federal or civil court.